Jan Steinmann, our exchange student from Switzerland, was the featured speaker for the day's lunch. Jan was introduced by Caitlyn, who has been hosting Jan for the past several months. Jan is from Lucerne and is a student at Southwestern, where he participates in Cross Country. She said that since he's been in the United States, he has become more understanding of American humor and loves American food.
The club welcomed Starr Ryder, owner of Ball Game Heroes in Jamestown. Starr shared his journey from working 21 years at Cummins to running his business full-time.
He highlighted how sports card collecting has evolved into a thriving, multi-billion-dollar industry that connects both youth and adults through shared experiences and nostalgia.
Dan Heitzenrater introduced our speaker, Bob Lingle, owner of the Good Neighbor Book Store in Lakewood. He is also the Chamber Director of Marketing and Communications. Bob is a father of three from Orchard Park and is both a SUNY Fredonia and St. Bonaventure graduate. A resident of Panama, Bob loves WrestleMania. After college, he worked in sales, which he did not enjoy, and then moved to a position at Barnes & Noble, where he met his wife. He went on to work at the Canisius College Bookstore and became manager of the Medaille College Bookstore.
